MCBÜ Students Achieve Third Place in the 2242 University Students Research Projects Competition at TEKNOFEST Istanbul

The team "Kovak: KompoFilament", composed of students from Manisa Celal Bayar University, achieved notable success in the preliminary round of TÜBİTAK's 2242 University Students Research Projects Competition, held as part of TEKNOFEST Istanbul, under the category of Machinery Manufacturing and Automotive.

Led by team captain Muhammed Emre Çokyaşar, the project competed in the Materials Science and Nanotechnology thematic area and earned third place in its category. The project was mentored by Dr. Uğur Özmen, a faculty member from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences.

Titled "The Durability of Composite Filaments and the Effect of Production Angles on Durability", the project investigates the potential industrial applications of PLA (Polylactide Acid)-based composite filaments, which are eco-friendly and biodegradable. The study focuses on testing the mechanical durability of PLA-based filaments reinforced with ceramic, wood, carbon fiber, and low-density compounds.

The team will conduct tensile, bending, impact (Charpy), and hardness (Shore D) tests on 3D-printed samples in the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory at MCBÜ, in accordance with ASTM standards. Additionally, they will analyze the durability performance of the filaments produced at different angles (0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°).

Based on the findings, the project aims to offer durable material solutions for sectors such as automotive, medical devices, packaging, and aerospace. It is also expected to highlight the cost advantages of additive manufacturing technologies in the physical production process and contribute to future R&D efforts.